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OK, I am sure the answer to this is somewhere in this forum but I am too lazy to go looking. Simple question, <b>what A-10 squadrons participated in DESERT STORM?</b>

I know the 74 TFS, 76 TFS and 511 TFS were there, the latter being the only USAFE A-10 unit at ODS, from what I've been told. Who else? Who went from the 354th TFW? The 926th Tactical Fighter Group? The 602nd Tactical Air Control Wing? The 174th Fighter Wing went, right?

I did find this on Global Security's web site:

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> In the Gulf War, A-10s, with a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles. A-10's were seldom grounded due to maintenance problems or conditions unsuitable for flying during the Operation DESERT STORM. No other aircraft could carry as much ordnance over a target for so long, doling out and taking as much punishment, and return to an unimproved field to turn around quickly and strike at an enemy again.

According the Iraqi POWs, the single most recognizable and feared aircraft at low altitude was the Thunderbolt II. This black-colored(?) jet was seen as deadly accurate, rarely missing its target. Seen conducting bombing raids three or four times a day, the A-10 was a seemingly ubiquitous threat. Although the actual bomb run was terrifying, the aircraft loitering around the target prior to target acquisition caused as much, if not more, anxiety since the Iraqi soldiers were unsure of the chosen target. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

As well as this little A-10 DESERT STORM factoid...

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>The A-10 was responsible for more than half of the Iraqi military inventory losses including tanks, Scuds and helicopters. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

As well as this one...

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>A total of 136 A-10's and 12 OA-10's were deployed to Southwest Asia. Ten of the 15 aircraft damaged returned to action.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

remember, I can't access .MIL sites from home, so if there is a fact sheet with this info out there, I won't be able to view it until I go back to work on Wednesday.

Danke! M2

The 174th from Syracuse was not an A-10 unit during ODS, they had recently converted to F-16's. They claimed to be the F/A-16, but fizzled badly in the supposed "fly-off" for the follow-on CAS aircraft. Seems the 30mm gun pod really messed up the toy airframe when they fired it. Lot's of pre-war talk but no game at all.

Coach

A friend of mine in the squadron at the time in ODS said it was more of "Area" Weapon. after a couple days/weeks of that nonsense they used CBU's to make up for it, never deployed the gun pod again.

"The power to Destroy the planet, is insignifigant to the power of the Air Force----Mudd Vader

Right lets see, from MB,only the 353rd TFS and 355th TFS deployed.
The 926th TFG deployed their one squadron the 706th TFS 'Cajuns'
The 23rd TASS deployed from DM.
I recall additional aircraft were called up from other units including the good old 81st TFW who had a 92nd TFS jet out there which returned to the UK carrying kill markings.
Hope this clarifies things Max.

Myrtle Beach sent two squadrons
353rd 24 jets
355 24 jest
England sent two squadrons
74th 24 jets
76th 24 jets
23rd TASS/602 TACW sent a total of 12 jets in two deplyments of 6 each
Bentwaters/Alconberry sent 18 from the 511th TFQ ( the jets were from Alconberry)
New Orleans sent 18 jets

Total 144 A-10s


<img src="http://www.warthogpen.com/bs/sig1.jpg" border=0>

Thanks gentlemen!

I know the 174th converted to Vipers, they called it something like "Fastass CAS" but I know it went away quickly. I just didn't know if that happened before or after ODS. I remember all the hubbalaloo about the "A-16" being a replacement for the Warthog, which also died on the vine quite quickly, probably due to the problems during ODS.

Bacon, by chance do you know if any of the Skulls pilots went out or just the jets? Probably the latter, but I just had to ask.

Cheers! M2

M2
As far as I know it was just the jet, I say jet because the only one I saw personally was 79-218, after DS all four WR squadrons jets/pilots took part in Provide Comfort looking after the Kurds.
I believe the Skull jet was attached to one of the MB squadrons....could be wrong though.

THE REPLACEMENT JETS FOR THE 23RD CAME FROM THE 75TH TFS.

PRESS TO TEST

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

The 511th TFS sent 18 aircraft on 27th December 1990 (Chip 11/21/31/41 Flights) to Saudi via Sigonella. 79-0218 of 92nd TFS went with them. They returned to Alconbury on 13th May 1991 (Womp 11/21 Flights) & 8th June 1991 (Retro 51/61/71 Flights). 218 returned with the 13th May cell. All of the 10th TFW A-10A's had names & nose art applied while deployed. HTH

shuck

Edited by - shuck on May 28 2004 1:22 PM

Edited by - shuck on May 28 2004 1:25 PM

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shuck